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D&C - See Dilation and Curettage.

D&E - See Dilation & Evacuation.

Day 1 - The first day of a woman's cycle with menses in full flow (not just spotting). Flow should begin before mid-afternoon or the next day would be considered Day 1.

Days Post-Ovulation (DPO) - The number of days a woman is past ovulation. Counting begins the day after ovulation, so if ovulation is on Wednesday, Saturday would be 3 DPO.

Days Post-Transfer (DPT) - The number of days a woman is past embryo transfer. Counting begins the day after transfer, so if is on Monday, Friday would be 4 DPO.

DES - See Diethylstilbestrol.

Dilation and Curettage - A procedure used to dilate (expand) the cervical canal and scrape out the lining and contents of the uterus. The procedure can be used to diagnose or treat the cause of abnormal bleeding and to terminate an unwanted pregnancy.

Dilation & Evacuation - A procedure in which the cervix is dilated and the baby and placenta are removed. D&E is used to describe two different procedures. One is similar to a D&C and uses more suction than scraping, and is performed on first trimester pregnancies. A D&E can also be used to describe a surgical removal of a fetus between 14-20 weeks gestation as an alternative to induced labor.

Direct Oocyte-Sperm Transfer - Involves transvaginal retrieval of eggs from the stimulated ovary, just as in standard IVF. However, following retrieval, instead of inseminating the eggs with sperm and placing them into the incubator, the eggs are inseminated and transferred directly into the uterus nonsurgically two hours later. This allows the eggs to fertilize within the uterus, making it acceptable for women with damaged, nonfunctional or absent fallopian tubes, just as in IVF.

Donor Egg - Eggs donated by one woman to another.

Donor Insemination - Artificial insemination with donor sperm. See Artificial Insemination, Intrauterine Insemination.

DOST - See Direct Oocyte-Sperm Transfer

Doxycycline - A tetracycline derivative; an antibiotic that inhibits many of the microorganisms infecting the reproductive tract. Often used for treating ureaplasma infections. Many physicians find routine treatment with this antibiotic more cost-effective than performing multiple cultures on both the husband and wife looking for infection.

DPO - See Days Post-Ovulation

DPT - See Days Post-Transfer .

Dysfunction - Abnormal function.

Dysmenorrhea - Painful menstruation.

Dyspareunia - Difficult or painful coitus.

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